The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Paternal Family Tree: Hope-Morley
On 28th January 1885 Geoffrey Hope-Morley 2nd Baron Hollenden was born to [his father] Samuel Morley 1st Baron Hollenden (age 39).
On 9th February 1912 [his father] Samuel Morley 1st Baron Hollenden (age 66) was created 1st Baron Hollenden of Leigh in Kent.
On 12th December 1914 Geoffrey Hope-Morley 2nd Baron Hollenden (age 29) and Mary Sidney Katharine Almina Gardner (age 18) were married. They were divorced in 1928.
On 18th February 1929 [his father] Samuel Morley 1st Baron Hollenden (age 83) died. His son Geoffrey (age 44) succeeded 2nd Baron Hollenden of Leigh in Kent.
On 6th May 1929 Geoffrey Hope-Morley 2nd Baron Hollenden (age 44) and Muriel Ivy Gladstone Baroness Hollenden were married. She by marriage Baroness Hollenden of Leigh in Kent.
On 6th June 1962 [his wife] Muriel Ivy Gladstone Baroness Hollenden died.
On 7th January 1963 Geoffrey Hope-Morley 2nd Baron Hollenden (age 77) and Violet Norris Leverton Baroness Hollenden were married. She by marriage Baroness Hollenden of Leigh in Kent.
On 19th October 1977 Geoffrey Hope-Morley 2nd Baron Hollenden (age 92) died without male issue. His nephew Gordon (age 63) succeeded 3rd Baron Hollenden of Leigh in Kent.
On 11th March 1994 [his former wife] Mary Sidney Katharine Almina Gardner (age 97) died.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Around 17th November 2005 [his former wife] Violet Norris Leverton Baroness Hollenden died.